A natural gas explosion explosion in Youngstown, Ohio, blew open the facade of a downtown bank building Tuesday afternoon, with seven people injured and at least two people missing. The front of the Realty building on East Federal Street was heavily damaged. Images from the scene show the facade of the building had been completely destroyed. The building is home to a Chase bank. Youngstown fire Chief Barry Finley said everyone had been accounted for except for one man, who may be a bank employee, and a woman.“We honestly don’t know if that person is down there or not,” he said, referring to the man. Officials said no one is allowed to go back into the Realty building or the neighboring Double Tree hotel. However, people can go back into nearby International Towers.Officials were concerned about the structural integrity of the building, so no firefighters were being sent in as of 6:30 p.m.A representative for Enbridge Gas, Stephanie Moore, said a cause for the explosion was unknown as of Tuesday evening and that the Ohio State Fire Marshal’s Office would be investigating. She said the company was alerted just before 3 p.m. to the incident.“Public safety is our top priority, and we are onsite and working closely with local emergency responders to contain the area and have shut off gas to the entire block as a safety precaution,” Moore said in a statement. A spokesperson from Mercy Health-Youngstown said that seven people had been injured in the explosion, with one person in critical condition. Finely said one person who had been injured was on a ventilator.Enbridge Gas extended its condolences to those impacted by the explosion. Officials are asking people to avoid the area until further notice. Youngstown police are also asking residents to keep communication lines up for emergency uses. A spokesperson for JPMorgan Chase said, “Right now, we are in close contact with local officials to check on the safety of everyone in the building and area. After that, we’ll work to determine what happened and to assess the damage.” Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown said he and his team were aware of the explosion. Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 is at the scene working to learn more. This is a developing story. Stay with Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 for updates. Download the WTAE mobile app to stay connected with breaking news.
A natural gas explosion explosion in Youngstown, Ohio, blew open the facade of a downtown bank building Tuesday afternoon, with seven people injured and at least two people missing.
The front of the Realty building on East Federal Street was heavily damaged. Images from the scene show the facade of the building had been completely destroyed. The building is home to a Chase bank.
Youngstown fire Chief Barry Finley said everyone had been accounted for except for one man, who may be a bank employee, and a woman.
“We honestly don’t know if that person is down there or not,” he said, referring to the man.
Officials said no one is allowed to go back into the Realty building or the neighboring Double Tree hotel. However, people can go back into nearby International Towers.
Officials were concerned about the structural integrity of the building, so no firefighters were being sent in as of 6:30 p.m.
A representative for Enbridge Gas, Stephanie Moore, said a cause for the explosion was unknown as of Tuesday evening and that the Ohio State Fire Marshal’s Office would be investigating. She said the company was alerted just before 3 p.m. to the incident.
“Public safety is our top priority, and we are onsite and working closely with local emergency responders to contain the area and have shut off gas to the entire block as a safety precaution,” Moore said in a statement.
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A spokesperson from Mercy Health-Youngstown said that seven people had been injured in the explosion, with one person in critical condition. Finely said one person who had been injured was on a ventilator.
Enbridge Gas extended its condolences to those impacted by the explosion.
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Officials are asking people to avoid the area until further notice….
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